530 A HISTORY OF THE PERCIIERON HORSE 



vitally concerned as to the stallion lie is to use, the 

 fact remains that more men own mares than own 

 stallions. The wide, general interest is in the mares; 

 the deep, personal pleasure for us and our families 

 is in the produce of the mares, while attached to 

 them and surrounding them are perpetually per- 

 plexing problems periling the profits. 



"If the mare delivers a good foal annually, she 

 does her part. If the foal is raised and properly 

 developed, the owner does his part. If both mare 

 and owner do their part, then there is pleasure and 

 profit in the business. With this end in view we 

 must start with the right kind of mares. This 

 would seem first to require soundness. Although 

 the available stallion may be a breeder juid an im- 

 pressive sire, sound and of correct pattern and suffi- 

 cient size, we cannot expect him to overcome a 

 material unsoundness in the mare. 



"The size of a brood mare is also of importance. 

 "We would not expect to raise real drafters from 

 l,400Tpound mares; the offspring at maturity are 

 seldom more than chunks. On the other hand, there 

 is quite a temptation to use, and a very general 

 demand for, the 'ton mare.' There are many such 

 mares that are quick in their movements and handy 

 at work on the farm; they make good mothers and 

 regular breeders. They are the exception, however, 

 among those of their size. In general, I believe the 

 experience of breeders of purebred live stock will 

 bear out the statement that the excessively large 

 females are seldom the best breeders. 



"A mare weighing from 1,700 to 1,800 pounds in 

 ordinarily good condition is the draft mare that 

 may be expected to give a good account of herself 

 both at work and in the stud. Get size in the off- 

 spring through the selection of the sire and through 



